Preparation
"Don't worry Maria, I'll help. Georg, I'm sure you will want to cross off many names from the party list."
"I certainly will Isabel." Georg only thought. Oh how I wish I could cross off his name; if he isn't invited he could cause trouble. Herr Zeller, I despise you.
"Maria, I must also announce our wedding in the paper; it's expected of a person of my stature."
"Then we must use the Abbey Cathedral. Are they all invited to the reception?"
"Heaven's no Maria; only about 20 or so."
"Thank goodness, I was already shaking in my shoes."
"I suppose we should get started. Is our first stop the Abbey Maria?"
"Definitely Georg, I need to thank the Reverend Mother for sending me back."
"Not only you, me too."
"Frau Schmidt has work to do. Max can I trust you to behave? He tapped him on the cheek like he has done the night he sang Edelweiss and chuckled.
"Georg, what makes you say that?" Georg only laughed louder and watched his children try to smother theirs. The children smiled at their Uncle Max. They knew he would get them to sing for him. He was hoping to wear Georg down so he would consent to let them perform at the Festival.
"Okay, children, give me a hug before we leave." Seven children surrounded their Fräulein for hugs and kisses.
Maria had told Georg it would be best to wait until after lunch to arrive at the Abbey. "That's fine Maria; we can stop for lunch first."
Preferring not to raise eyebrows before the announcement in the paper, Georg took them to a small café off the main street. The maître'd recognized him and gave him a private room in the back.
Maria was looking over the menu. "Everything looks wonderful Georg. What do you suggest?"
"Either the Ham Viennese or Wiener Schnitzel, served with potato balls. Save room for dessert Maria, the chocolate tart is really good." Georg placed their order; the waiter brought a basket of cheese and crackers along with their beverage.
"Maria, how long do we need to wait to be married?"
"I'm not sure. Are you in a hurry?"
"Maria, how much are you aware of what the Germans are doing?"
"Not as much as you, we didn't listen to the radio or read the newspaper at the Abbey."
"They're here Maria; not in uniform, that would be too conspicuous – infiltrators, Austrian sympathizers. A lot of them are young boys; like the messenger boy I saw throwing stones at Liesl's window the day I returned from Vienna."
"He must have been Rolf."
"He was so surprised to see me, he stuttered a response. Finally he gave me the Hitler salute. He had a telegram for Max. I took it from him aggressively and handed it to Max, then told him to get out.
"Oh no, does that mean he's one of them?"
"I'm sure he is Maria. One of Hitler's young minds he's brainwashing. Elsa wasn't appalled and chastised me for running him off. It was then I felt all alone; my Navy was gone and it was only a matter of time that the Austria I knew would also be gone."
"Liesl spoke to him in the plaza one day. Now it all makes sense; he was terribly rude to her. I noticed she was very confused and hurt."
"Is that who she went out to see after I received the telegram from Elsa?"
"Yes, they were caught in the rain. Did you know they could climb up to my window?"
"That doesn't surprise me. They're very conniving children when it came to playing tricks on their governesses. Is that what Liesl did?"
"She thought she could sneak out my door without being seen. We had a little heart to heart talk; similar to my speech at dinner. I gave her one of my nightgowns to wear, her dress was soiled and dripping wet."
"So that's why her hair was all wet when I saw her. Do you know how long she has been seeing him?"
"Not really Georg, I suspect it all started at school; and then as often as he could deliver telegrams to you."
"He's probably the first boy she had feelings for. It's nice to be liked by a boy slightly older than you."
"How do you know this? You told me I'm your first everything."
"I did have friends Georg. We talked; even one of my roommates at the Abbey had a boyfriend once."
"I didn't doubt you Maria. I'm glad we will be able to deal with all these girl guy things together." They finished lunch, including sharing a chocolate tart with coffee. The Abbey was only a few blocks away.
"Here we are Maria."
"Much better than the last time I returned. Georg, the gate is open."
Maria called out. "Sister Margareta."
"Maria, why…oh I see why."
"Meet the Captain, Sister Margareta."
Then Maria spotted her. Reverently she knelt and kissed her ring. "Captain we meet at last. Sister Margareta, please bring some tea and cookies to the sitting room. Come this way."
"Maria, I've never seen you happier; so everything worked out; you found your dream?"
"Yes Mother, I did."
"Reverend Mother, I want you to know I had nothing to do with Maria's running back to the Abbey the other night; at least not directly. My fault lay in not coming here to see you and perhaps Maria. Her note was so convincing but I should have listened to my heart. My late wife would be most pleased that I have found a loving mother for our children and myself a most loving wife. You see Reverend Mother; I have asked Maria to marry me."
"I don't need to ask your answer; it's written all over your face. Where, when?"
"You sound like the children; the cathedral if we may?"
"Reverend Mother, you may know that German talk is getting louder."
"Yes, Captain, the Bishop is keeping me informed."
"How soon could we marry?"
"The Banns of Marriage need to be announced three times; but only one Sunday. You need to meet with Bishop Charles."
"Can you allow Maria to spend the night at the Abbey?"
"Of course, that's no problem at all; I'm sure all the sisters would like to wish her well. Let me walk with you to the Bishop's office."
"Here we are Captain. Now Maria, don't wait until your wedding day to come back and see us. Bring the children with you. I hope they weren't too upset they weren't allowed to see you."
"I'll talk to them Reverend Mother." Maria and Georg respectfully said goodbye.
"Tell me Maria, how do I address a Bishop?"
"You may call him Bishop or sir."
Their meeting with the Bishop was pleasant. Georg had sensed that the Bishop knew exactly who he was and realized that his naval skills would be highly desired by the Germans. He accepted their request for a wedding in three weeks.
The car ride home was full of conversation. "I'm so glad Bishop Charles understood my desire to get married soon."
"He's a very kind Bishop; all the priests speak highly of him." Maria wasn't aware of Georg's real reason and he didn't share it with her. He wanted to protect her.
"Tomorrow you and Frau Schmidt need to go shopping for your wedding gown; remember I want you to get what you want." Georg had pulled around to the back of the villa. He noticed Maria had looked away from him. He parked the car.
Softly he turned her face to him, only to see tears welling up in her eyes. "What wrong sweetheart?"
"It's all so new to me. Do you remember my song from the gazebo?"
"Of course I do."
"There's a line in that song that says 'my miserable youth.' It's true Georg."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I need to." He drew her close to him while she talked. "My mother died when I was two. My father loved me but he couldn't take care of me. I lived with his elderly cousin.
"He died when I was nine that made me a ward of the court. The man who was appointed my guardian was not kind. My youth really was miserable. I never knew why he despised me, and took his anger out on me. He did get money from the government.
"I ran away to Vienna. Since I was an orphan I was able to attend the Progressive University for Teachers. There I was taught there was no God. I was gullible and started to believe them.
"The only thing that saved me was visiting a church expecting to hear Mozart's Requiem; instead my heart was softened by a sermon. That's when I decided to give myself to God and came to the Abbey."
"Georg, I never dreamed of getting married; wearing a wedding gown never ever crossed my mind and now I get to go buy one." Georg tightened his embrace.
"I understand Maria. My father died early as well. My mother sent my brother and me to a military school. I grew up fast, but there I found my love for the sea and ships; and gave me the chance meeting with Agathe.
"All of these things are in our past; they are the past. You and I are the future. I have no doubt God shaped our plans and here we are about to be married. Try to focus on that Maria."
"Thank you Georg for listening; I love you." She drew his face to hers for a soft kiss.
"We need to get inside and see what mischief Max and the children have been up to."
"Georg, you give Max a hard time."
"In some ways Max is like a big child."
"He does like to have a good time especially if it involves singing."
They went in through the kitchen. Frau Schmidt was sitting with Katia enjoying their afternoon tea.
"Georg I have the new list. I left that name."
"Who, Frau Schmidt."
"Herr Zeller, Maria; he could cause all kinds of trouble if he wasn't personally invited. Maria was reading the list with Georg, "Tell me about them."
"Alice is the children's grandmother and Bobby, Frank and Mary are her three youngest children. Frank is married to Martha and they have five children; Mary is married to Paul and they have four children.
"Connie is my brother's widow; he was killed during the Great War. Peter is a cousin; he and his wife Laura have four children. John is also a cousin, his wife's name is Emily and they have two children.
"Harold and Eleanor Ebersol, Franz and Irene Isenhart are friends here in Salzburg. Ralph and Audrey Bittinger live here also. Ralph was also in the Navy with me. Sidney Shriver is another Navy buddy."
"I'm glad to see so many children will be here. Do the children know them?"
"Yes, all of them; they get along very well. Everyone but Alice and Bobby will be staying at the Bristol. It would be bedlam if they all stayed here."
"Let's go find them." Max had them singing on the veranda. All Georg could do was shake his head.
"Uncle Max we have company."
"We do Kurt."
"Oh hi Georg, Maria, they've been teaching me your raindrops on roses song."
The children broke out in roarous laughter. "When is the wedding? Liesl asked.
"Three weeks from Saturday."
"That's soon."
"Yes, no need to wait; your Fräulein and I are in love and you children have waited long enough for a new mother." Georg wasn't about to tell them the real reason.
"We have lots of shopping to do." Maria heard groans from the boys. "Boys don't worry your father and I will still find time to do things with all of you."
"That's right boys; while Maria shops tomorrow we can all go for a bike ride. Max you can have the day off."
"Good I can contact the music group from near-by St. Martin's Cathedral."
Maria and Frau Schmidt left shortly after breakfast to go shopping for her wedding gown. "I've heard this is the most expensive shop in town."
"Don't worry Maria. Georg wants you to look elegant."
"Isabel Schmidt what brings you to my shop today?"
"Mabel, please meet Georg's fiancée."
"Isabel told me you were beautiful. I also heard that the children are ecstatically happy."
"You might say that. Thank you."
"A dress for the Cathedral Maria?"
"Yes."
"It must have a long train or you will feel tiny in that large church. I have a couple, but I think this one is best."
"My goodness, it's so heavy. Will I be able to walk in it?"
"You might need to come here and practice. I have a long corridor just for that purpose. You will also need a tulle head covering and train. Come let's have you try it on."
Two other women helped Maria to dress. She looked in the mirror and tears ran down her face. "Maria what's wrong? Don't you like it?"
"I love it," she said through her tears. "I never dreamed, even as a little girl I would ever wear a bridal gown especially one this beautiful."
"Here Maria, Frau Schmidt handed her a handkerchief. "I know it's overwhelming; Georg and the children will love it."
"Maria, here's the head covering; the florist can make a wreath of Edelweiss but you will still need to anchor it to your head."
Maria looked behind her. It's longer than the gown."
"As it should be Maria; it will be here anytime you want to practice walking in it. I will deliver it to the Cathedral early Saturday morning."
Maria took one last look in the mirror. Yes, Georg will love it.
"Did you have success Maria?
"Yes, darling, no more questions; you know the rules."
"You're right; I do know the rules."
It was in the late evening, after the children were in bed, that Maria and Georg found time for themselves. Most evenings they would walk to the gazebo, that magical place where it all had begun. During their time together Georg tried to forget about the German's plans.
This particular evening they were dancing together. Georg had begun to hum Edelweiss; but quickly he and Maria had begun to sing it together. "Maria I want this to be our first dance together at the reception."
"I like that idea but we must also finish the Laendler."
"You remember the end Maria?"
"I do Georg, I was simply overcome with emotion from your gaze, I had to move away from you. I didn't understand my feelings at the time."
"I knew that Maria. I did understand mine, but I was in a predicament. You were going to be a nun and Elsa expected me to announce our engagement."
"After our trials and tribulations we found our true love; thanks to the Reverend Mother."
"I know Maria; I will be forever indebted to her."
They returned to the villa where Georg always kissed her goodnight at the foot of the stairs.
On another day when Maria and the children went shopping for their wedding attire, Georg found Max sitting by himself in one of the sitting rooms. "Take a ride with me Max?"
"Sure Georg, where are we going?"
"I'll tell you when we are in the car." Max couldn't understand why he sounded so serious.
"Max, I know you are not politically associated with either side; but you must realize the danger I would be in if the Anschluss occurs; you heard Herr Zeller."
"Now, I understand Georg. How can I help?"
"I'm still hoping we can just drive across the border; but I must prepare for the worse scenario; needing to walk into the hills and hide. I've tried to think of the most logical way we might leave."
Leaving the city they drove west through the valley between the high hills and the mountains; it wasn't long until Georg spotted an abandoned farm. It was very dilapidated. "This is perfect Max; far enough away from the city but not too far that Maria and the children couldn't easily walk here."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to stock it with supplies; warm clothes; blankets; proper shoes and of course food. Shekels food store sells camping food; also fire starters and matches. Remember the children's winter clothes are on the third floor in that back room; you must not be seen."
"Don't worry Georg; you know I'm a night owl sometimes; I'll take a few things at a time. Oh I do hope you won't have to use this place."
"I do too Max, but I must prepare. Let's get home before Maria and the children arrive."
Later that evening Maria heard the rain begin as she had put the children to bed. She went looking for Georg. He was in his study with a newspaper in his hand chuckling over something he had read.
"What's so funny Georg?"
He handed her the paper. "Read the announcement Maria."
'Elsa, (née Koch) Schraeder announces her engagement to Duke Joseph Hans from Liechtenstein…..a fall wedding is planned.'
"You were right Georg; like you said before, I hope she's happy."
"I need to show this to Max."
Max really wasn't surprised. "You know Georg, the train that Elsa took to Vienna was crowded; I noticed she had to sit with a gentlemen. He had a regal bearing; I'm sure that was the Duke." Georg and Max had a good laugh.
Maria kept her promise to the children; in the weeks that followed they did a lot of things besides shopping, picnics, playing games and bike rides; including one to the Abbey to meet the Reverend Mother.
One day only the girls accompanied Maria into town, she wore her blue dress. As soon as they entered the dress shop, Betty spotted her and recognized the dress. She thought to herself. I knew it wasn't for Liesl, it fits Maria perfectly. She said nothing to her; she didn't want to embarrass her. "Hello children, is this your Fraulein?"
"Yes Betty, soon to be our mother. She needs to buy a few more dresses."
Maria and the girls left the store with several large boxes; in one was a gown that Georg had requested she get in case they decided to go to the theater in Paris.
On another day Maria took one more shopping trip by herself; she needed to buy wedding night clothes.
"What did you have in mind Maria?"
"I'm a shy person Betty; nothing too revealing. I do want it to be beautiful."
"I have exactly what you want. I have a lot of ladies just like you. What about this set?"
"That's perfect Betty. Do you have any lounging pajamas?"
"I do Maria, they're made out of cotton silk just like your peignoir set."
Maria added a few undergarments to her selections. "Do you have everything Maria? Your wedding is Saturday."
"I got everything on Isabel's list, thank you."
"I'll see you Saturday at the Cathedral Maria; you will be a beautiful bride."