The Day Arrived
The group had about two hours to wait before Robert and Catherine would arrive. Clarice and Mia took this time to talk. "Grandma, tell me again about this couple."
"Max met Robert in the early years of the war. They had kept in touch. He remembered him after he heard about the escape plans. Robert had lost his first wife to a terrible brain disease called Alzheimer's. His meeting Catherine and falling in love is like a fairytale. She's a doctor, Mia. He's the owner of a very successful construction company.
"Since they lived in Connecticut, which is not too far from New York City, Max asked them to meet, first the ship with the all the children on board and then the one with Maria and me.
"Their love is special. I noticed the moment I met them. You know the love between me and Joseph is too. You'll find them delightful, Mia. And now another couple will marry; whose love endured an escape from evil."
"That's the sad part, Grandma. Every day the newspaper has another story about the bad things that are happening in Germany. My professors tell us, the world is trying to look the other way; not wanting to believe what they are being told."
"Europe doesn't want another war. It has finally rebuilt after the last one. The rulers will attempt anything to prevent it. We can only pray, Mia. Let's enjoy this happy time with our new friends."
The children were talking among themselves, about their time at the couple's home in Connecticut. Maria and Georg had gone out the ballroom doors and were strolling. They stopped often to share a kiss. They had arrived in the front of the house.
"There you are."
"Hi, Max, how much longer?"
"Their train should be pulling into the station about now; Robert told me they would take a taxi."
Maria grabbed Georg's hand. "Let's go down to the street and wait."
"And I'll go tell the others."
Maria and Georg waited in the middle of the street. They searched for the car. Not many moments went by before Maria was almost jumping up and down with excitement. "I see it, sweetheart."
"So do I. We better get out of the street."
No sooner had they moved when the taxi came to a stop. "Allow me to open the door, Maria."
Catherine took Georg's hand and exited the taxi. "Welcome to our home."
"Georg, Maria, I expected it to be big; this is enormous."
"Everyone had the same word when we first saw it. The inside is very comfortable."
Catherine hugged Maria immediately. "I'm so happy for you. I knew you two were in love. I want to hear all about the special moment." They ran off to talk; all the ladies and the girls joined them.
"Congratulations Georg; I felt you would move quickly, once all your obstacles had been removed."
"Thank you, Robert. Yes, the evil is still on the other side of the ocean, and for now the United States is only supporting the nations trying to resist further movement. Every day lately, I've read about another country capitulating to their force; hoping to stay out of combat. I'm not sure how long it will last."
"You're right. I still fear an even greater war is coming. What we call the Great War now, will no longer have that name. But let's not dwell on it. Show me around this property."
Robert and Georg explored the property. He was introduced to Stefan and Phillip. "How did both of you leave Austria?"
"After the seminary students came, no one bothered us. The two of us, along with Isabel and Katia were able to walk to the train station across from our pasture; it took us to Italy. We went on to Paris and then to London. We traveled on the SS America to Philadelphia. We were met by government officials who brought us here. We were here a few days before the family arrived."
"Robert, we can use these doors; they enter the ballroom." The closer they got; they heard voices, women's voices.
"That's right, Catherine. Georg danced us right out the door. As soon as we were out of sight, he told me. 'I wanted to kiss you when our faces were only inches apart, I can wait no longer.' Then he gave me my very first kiss."
"Did your knees buckle?"
"They did. How did you know?"
"Because the same thing happened to me when Robert and I kissed the first time."
"And then he told me we should get married. I thought it was too soon. He reminded me about you and Robert and Clarice and Joe. On Sunday, I found Father Pierre had come to America. He had a letter from the Bishop of Rome. It told Father Ed, he could marry us whenever we were ready."
Maria felt Georg's arm go around her waist. "Telling our story, darling?"
"It's a wonderful story, Georg. Robert and I are so happy to be able to witness your marriage."
While the adults talked, Liesl was speaking with Mia. "Aren't you scared being so far away from your grandmother?"
"I was at first. But my mother and stepdad live in San Francisco. They're still far away on the west coast of America; at least they're on the same continent. I was more scared about learning enough to be Queen one day."
"I'm curious, Mia. How do you address your stepdad?"
"When they began to date, he was Mr. O'Connell. It was difficult, Liesl. He was still my teacher. They married after I began college here. My security guard, Bill and I took the train to attend. A very long trip, but I saw America and realized how tiny Genovia is. He actually suggested I call him Patrick; and I do."
"Louisa and Friedrich and I have been talking; we're the ones who remember our mother the most. We're not sure how we will address our Fräulein."
"You may want to use, mom. That's the American way, mom and dad."
"Thank you, Mia, I'll think about it. I suppose we should join the others before we are missed."
Maria and Clarice took Catherine to her room; Robert stayed and talked with the men. "Why does this house have so many bedrooms?"
"No one knows for sure." Georg told him. "We were told a very wealthy man made a seven room house into this; he enlarged it and added two floors. He was an equestrian; he even had his own racetrack. It is thought, all the competitors stayed at the house. Some were America's entries to the Olympics."
The men were in the foyer when the ladies came down the steps. Liesl and Mia joined them.
Maria asked. "Liesl, have you and Mia been talking?"
"We have, comparing notes about our lives."
"Did Mia tell you about learning to eat at a formal table?"
"Not yet, Grandma."
"I'm sure my experience is different. You see it all started before I sat down."
"Fräulein Maria, you're not going to tell her about the pinecone?"
"Why not, Louisa? Now, you know all is forgiven."
Mia was intrigued; so was Clarice. "On my arrival to the villa, I was greeted with a frog in my pocket. And then at dinner, I sat on a prickly pinecone. I made some outrageous noise."
"An angry cat noise, darling. But she didn't flee; she chided the children with her kindness. All but the two oldest were crying. At that moment I knew I had met my match. I fought it as long as I could; we had a terrible argument. Hearing my children singing; saved me. And the rest is history, as some people would say."
It was Mia's turn. "Grandma tied my shoulders to the chair to teach me to sit up straight and not slouch."
"She learned quickly, even all the silverware."
"At the fancy dinner, I did fairly well, until I ate ice cream too fast. I was in a state of panic; I didn't even remember how the man next to me caught his sleeve on fire. I put his arm in an ice bucket.
"Fruit was served; Grandma reminded me to eat the grapes with a fork; one skidded away from me. I got on my knees under the table to retrieve it. Suddenly someone tripped over me. I was so embarrassed; I stayed hid under the table."
"And now look at both of you. Mia, you're poised, polite and getting prepared to become Queen. Maria, your about to marry the man of your dreams."
"I owe that to you, Clarice. You told me society doesn't matter; it's all about love."
"Can I put all this in my story?"
"Of course you can Brigitta; all of it is true."
"And my father helped me too. Grandma brought me the diary my dad had wanted to give me on my sixteenth Birthday. It contained a handwritten note from him. He told me it was a family tradition to pass along wisdom. I was entering a time in my life that I would travel a road between who I thought I was and who I could become. And I had to allow myself the opportunity to make the journey.
"He wrote, it wouldn't always be easy, at times I would be scared. Courage would give me the strength to do something important. Life was all about stepping out and taking chances.
"After I read it, I had to hurry to get to the ball. I ran outside into a rainstorm. The top of my convertible would not come up; I tried to drive while getting soaking wet. My car stalled; it wouldn't start. I collapsed onto the seat as I got wetter and wetter. Joe rescued me.
"I got to the ball just in time. Grandma was speaking. There I was, with wet hair and soaking wet clothes, accepting my royalty. I told everyone I wanted to stop thinking only about myself but use my title to effect change in the world."
"A wonderful story, Mia, it's perfect for my story."
"Yes, Brigitta, it is. And on Saturday I'll take a path I never dreamed would ever happen to me. Tomorrow, children, you will come with your father and me to the church for a rehearsal. Boys, you need to learn how to light the candles and girls you need to learn the proper wedding procession walk, and so do I."
Isabel waited for a pause and announced. "Dinner is almost ready."
Everyone scampered to one of the powder rooms on the first floor. Catherine and Robert were directed to the banquet room. "I was wondering if you had a dining room to accommodate all of us."
"It was a surprise to us too, Catherine."
"Just think, Maria, years from now you will have plenty of room for spouses and grandchildren."
"Yes, I thought of that too."
Even after everyone found a seat, there was still room for more. Mia sat with the children, opposite all the adults. She could easily see Clarice, Catherine and Maria.
While they were waiting for desert, she spoke. "Am I imagining this, but Grandma, you and Catherine have very similar features and Maria, you do too?"
"You're not imagining, dear. Duchess Charlotte noticed the similarity between me and Maria. Brigitta noticed the sameness between Catherine and me. We caulked it up to the old saying, 'everyone has a twin in the world.' In our case it's triplets."
"That's why you could easily be me at the affair in Bremen."
"You're right, Mia. Except for Georg's nemesis being there, the affair ended without a hitch. Now, what would everyone like to do until bedtime?"
"Can we play charades, Fräulein Maria? It's something we can all play."
"A wonderful idea, Louisa, I need everyone to write down some charades."
The family had an extensive number of charades. The game easily took them to bedtime. Everyone said the same thing. "I've never laughed so much in my life." They said their goodnights. Only Maria and Georg remained in the room.
"We can't stay here too long; Maria; only one more day and we won't have to stop kissing."
"I know and I can't wait."
"Do you have any apprehension, Maria?"
"None, Georg, my love for you is so strong. It trumps any anxiety I might have."
"I feel privileged, Maria."
As usual, Georg walked Maria to her bedroom. There they allowed a passionate kiss. Georg broke it, he opened her door. "Sleep well, darling, I'll be here in the morning."
And he was. They weren't alone for long. Everyone was anxious for Friday to be over.
Karl followed Maria out of the banquet room. "Sis, I've been thinking. Our father isn't here to walk you down the aisle. Would you give me the privilege?"
"I'd like it, very much. I think we both know, he'll be watching. I told the older children the same thing about their mother."
Georg was pleased, as was Father Ed. Pierre showed the boys how to light the candles. The organist demonstrated the proper wedding walk. Even little Gretl did it perfectly. Maria heard music she had never heard before; she had never attended a wedding. In an hour Father Ed asked. "Does anyone have any questions?"
Maria and Georg looked at each other. They shook their heads. "Okay, Georg and boys, I'll meet you at the side door at eleven-thirty. Maria, you'll be hidden away in the bridal room by then, getting dressed."
"Yes, Father, that's the plan."
Maria started to sing the moment they left the church. She and the children sang and danced all the way home. After lunch they took the children to the playground. When they returned the children played charades while Maria and Georg packed their bags. And after dinner the entire group went to the movie theater. Everyone enjoyed the movie, Little Orphan Annie.
It was late when they got home. Maria and Georg had a difficult time getting the children to go to sleep. They couldn't stop talking about the movie. "I need my sleep, children. I don't want to have bags under my eyes on my wedding day."
Maria and Georg walked by their bedrooms one more time; they heard no giggling or talking. They lingered outside Maria's bedroom.
Maria fell into Georg's arms. "I hope I can fall asleep; our wedding day is hours away."
Georg chuckled. "I expect to find a guard at my door in the morning."
"I know you will. I heard Ralph and Harold talking."
"How will you spend your morning, darling?"
"I was told not to worry about the children; there were more than enough adults to get them ready. I suppose, after breakfast, I will take a leisurely bath. I was told we would leave here at ten-thirty. I would have lots of time to get dressed."
"Max, told me. We and the boys would leave here about eleven-fifteen. Maria, we need to try and get some sleep. This will be a final kiss before we are married. Its memory may help us sleep."
Their embrace was close; the kiss, deep and stirring. Georg broke away; he opened Mari's door. She floated inside and leaned against the closed door and listened until she could no longer hear Georg's footsteps.
Around six in the morning, Maria woke. She stood by her window and watched the sun come up. A few clouds made the colors come alive. First were those of violet, blue and green and soon the stronger ones of orange and red.
She recited one of her favorite verse from the Psalms. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." And then she began to sing softly.
For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
Christ our Lord, to Thee we raise
this, our sacrifice of praise.
The song continued to admire the beauty of the world, the sun and flowers which opened at first ray; and then the verse which began, For the joy of human love. Here she paused and remembered; the words of the scripture which Father Ed would read today. Love is patient and kind; it is eternal and it is the greatest gift from God.
She was brought out of her reverence by a knock on her door and then ladies voices. "I wonder if she's awake."
"I'm sure she is, knock again, Eleanor."
Maria opened the door quickly. "Good morning, ladies, I was enjoying the sunrise on this my wedding day."
"We noticed it too, Maria. Do you want to eat first or take your bath first?"
"Are the children awake, Eleanor?"
"Liesl's helping the girls dress; they're putting on regular clothes. You can eat with them. Georg has a guard to keep him in his room."
"He told me, he expected one. I suppose I'll eat first."
The men, Max, Harold and Ralph were keeping Georg company. Everyone else was waiting for her in the banquet room.
"Are you excited, Fräulein Maria?"
"I am, Louisa. My stomach is excited too; all I want is a pastry and a cup of tea this morning."
"I planned well," Katia told her. "I made lots of pastries and here's a pot of tea."
Maria ate one pastry and finished her cup of tea. "I'm going up to take my bath; I'm too excited to sit any longer."
"And I'll put on my dress and come to you room when it's time to leave, Maria."
"Don't wait too long, Eleanor."
Audrey and Isabel would help the girls dress. Max and Harold would help the boys. Eleanor found Maria antsy to leave. They left early and took a slow walk to the church.
Father Ed met them at the bride's room door. "You're already glowing, Maria. Do you remember when to go outside and stand at the entrance?"
"Those musical notes are embedded in my mind. Karl will be waiting to walk with me."
"I'll meet you at the altar."
Father Ed found Georg and the boys had arrived. Max stayed with Georg; Harold and Ralph walked around to the front of the church to wait. Father Pierre took the boys with him.
Eleanor remembered exactly how Helen helped Maria into her gown. "Before I put on your veil, you need to put on your shoes, Maria."
They heard the children as soon as her veil was in place. Eleanor opened the door. The girls stood there with mouths agape. At first no one could speak. Finally Liesl did. "You are stunning. Your gown is absolutely beautiful."
"Father may faint."
"I don't think he will, Brigitta. I'm sure his heart and mine will be beating very fast."
Another knock was heard and a male voice. "Are you ready, sis?"
Now Karl stood with his mouth wide open. "You are gorgeous. Our father is smiling."
"I know."
Inside the church, Friedrich and Kurt waited with lit wicks on brass candle lighters. Those already seated watched them reverently light all the candles on the altar. When finished, they took their seats on the front pew.
Maria heard the music begin. "Liesl, that's your cue." She led her sisters to the front of the church.
Karl offered his arm to Maria. She found the loop to her dress's train and Eleanor picked up the veil's train. When they arrived at the front door, she brought down the face veil and made sure the lace of the train overlapped the train of her dress. She was the last to take her seat.