The Wedding
The sun had risen in New London. Georg lay in his bed; he was in no hurry to get up. He had nowhere to go. He dreamed and thought. I must be the luckiest man in the world; I'm about to marry another woman who wishes to share my love. Somewhere in my life I must have done something good.
A knock on his door brought him from his thoughts. He got up to see who was there. Elwood stood there with a broad smile. "Your breakfast, Georg, the ladies are taking no chances."
"I suspected you would be here. Is Maria awake?"
"She is; I saw her going into the dining room. She gave me this for you." Elwood handed Georg a piece of paper. Georg didn't speak; he smiled. His breakfast would wait; he sat in his chair. He unfolded the paper and began to read:
I know you are smiling, my love. I am overjoyed with happiness. Our meeting and falling in love is all part of God's plan for us. The disobedience of Adam and Eve opened Pandora's Box of evil. Evil we both know so well; it's why we are here in America.
I prayed for you before I saw you; my heart ached from the moment I heard the crying and sobs of your children. The ache overwhelmed me when I saw your grief filled face. Our way in life was for us to first become friends; you allowed me to help Gretl.
His plan began in earnest at Christmas; He planted the seed. You took the lead and began to water it. The seed grew within both of us. Today is our wedding day. The day the Prince marries his Cinderella. I welcome it; I look forward to taking our vows. I delight in the thought of our hearts beating as one.
Lovingly, Maria, your soon-to-be wife.
I send you my kisses.
Georg leaned his head against the back of the chair. He closed his eyes; visions of Maria filled his mind. He also felt a presence in the room. It brightened the room even more that the sun had. He sensed her. His mind heard her voice. I'm pleased. You have fulfilled my request. I've seen our children's smiles. Live as God has planned; all the angels around me will be watching.
His cheek felt a sensation, an undefined sensation, an angel's kiss, Agathe's kiss. His trance lifted. His smile filled his face as he prepared for his wedding day.
Maria was in the dining room with the family. "Maria, you're not eating."
"I'm too excited, Max."
"Maria, I made your favorite pastry; you need to eat it with a piece of cheese. You don't want to faint at the altar."
"No, Isabel, I don't."
The first bite settled her stomach; she finished her meal. "I need to stay busy; in a few minutes, I'll help you girls get dressed."
And Max told the boys. "I'm in charge of you."
The two adults departed with their respective charges. All the children had taken baths last night; it was only a matter of dressing and fixing their hair. Maria didn't worry about Liesl and Louisa.
Their dresses were easy to put on; they were in the style of Maria's gown; they had a drop waist. Brigitta's was a deep rose pink fabric which was stitched with a dark pink thread; it accentuated the flounce at the bottom of the dress. A piece of similar colored ribbon separated the ruffle from the body of the dress; a neat bow was tied on the side. Louisa had chosen a similar style in a blue as in a clear blue sky. Her accent color was a darker blue, like the deep blue sea.
Marta and Gretl had twin dresses. Both had empire waists with puffy sleeve. The material flowed from the high waist; it fell from the stitching in multiple tiny folds; making the skirt very full. The material was flecked with tiny dark designs. Gretl's was pink; Marta had chosen a beautiful yellow.
Liesl's was long and slender; it was almost ankle length. The fabric was a pale green chambray; the drop waist was accentuated with a piece of green ribbon, tied in a bow on the side.
They met Max and the boys at the top of the staircase. They were wearing bowties with their very American suits. "Are these Georg approved?"
"All of us men chose them; the boys wanted to be the same."
"Is Georg wearing one?"
"Not telling you; I was sworn to secrecy."
"Oh dear, my heart will beat out of my chest when I see him." The girls giggled; none could imagine the feeling, not even Liesl.
"Now children, can you stay clean for forty-five minutes?"
"Yes, Mama," Gretl covered her mouth.
"That's alright, sweetie; you're only a few hours early. Besides, I like hearing it."
Maria didn't take forty-five minutes; she was ready in thirty. She took a quick bath. No sentinel stood at her door. She and the girls would leave first. They were waiting for her at the top of the stairs.
"You're beautiful, Maria. Turn around."
"It's very American."
"Me like it too, you're an American Cinderella." Gretl continued to surprise Maria; her sentences were getting better. She hadn't quite learned to use 'I' instead of 'me.'
Max and the boys left; he was driving Georg. Maria, the girls, the two men and the ladies took a bus. Everyone had a separate seat; the girls didn't want to wrinkle their dresses; neither did Maria. She sat on the edge of her seat.
It was eleven-thirty when they arrived at the church. Isabel and Martha went with them to the bride's room. They checked the children; straightened their dresses and brushed their hair in place and stayed until they heard the music begin; high noon was in fifteen minutes.
"Are you ready, Maria? You look beautiful."
"I am, Isabel." The two ladies left to take their seats on the front pew.
Elwood and Pepé had entered from the front of the church and taken their seats beside Isabel and Martha. Georg, the boys and Max were waiting with Father Gabe in the sacristy. He took them to altar floor five minutes before noon.
Maria and Liesl heard the prelude music stop. They left the bride's room and got in line. "Don't be nervous girls; you know what to do." Maria said this to calm her own nerves.
The little girls heard their music; Brigitta prompted them. Gretl and Marta began their walk. The guests had stood and turned to watch. Georg saw them; he was searching for his bride; Liesl hid her.
Maria hadn't seen Georg either; she stepped closer to the back of the aisle as Liesl processed in front of her.
The girls all stood beside Father Gabe. Maria's music began. She heard the first notes. She held her bouquet tight; took a deep breath and began her walk.
She saw him. She had only one thought; he's an Adonis. And yes she did want to run; she had enough composure to resist.
Maria's veil hid her face from Georg; still his heart took a leap when he saw her. He thought; my Cinderella is about to become my wife. His smile broadened as she came closer.
Unknowing to either of them, a group of people entered the church and took seats in the back pews. Maria arrived at the steps to the altar.
Father Gabe took her hand. "Georg, I give you the hand of your betrothed."
Their hands joined; each could feel the electricity. They held hands as the service began.
"Dearly beloved…;" the opening introduction explains the Sacrament of Marriage and ends with these words. "Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by God."
He paused before asking the question to the people present and to the couple. "Does anyone know of any reason this couple should not be joined in marriage?"
Again he paused; no one spoke. "Then for ever hold your peace."
Now his attention turned to Georg and Maria. He asked them each the question of consent. It was here they were asked to be faithful for as long as each shall live. To which, each in turn responded. "I will."
The couple sat on separate sides of the altar for the reading of the scripture. Father Gabe kept his homily very short.
"Maria and Georg, come stand in front of me." He waited a few seconds. The couple turned and faced each other.
"Georg, please take Maria's right hand and repeat after me:
In the name of God, I, Georg, take you Maria to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
They dropped hands and then Father Gabe said, "Maria, please take Georg's right hand and repeat after me:
In the name of God, I, Maria, take you Georg to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
"May I have the rings?"
Max placed them on the pillow provided. He blessed them and looked at Georg. He took Maria's ring in his fingers and slipped it on her finger.
"I give you this ring Maria as a timeless reminder of our marriage. I want everyone to know you are mine and that you are loved with all the love that it is within me. I will always be your faithful companion. I love you."
Maria did the same; using the same words. "I give you this ring Georg as a timeless reminder of our marriage. I want everyone to know you are mine and that you are loved with all the love that it is within me. I will always be your faithful companion. I love you."
Each took a deep breath; they were officially married. Georg lifted the veil from her face. They both smiled. They knelt together on the wedding kneeler provided.
Father Gabe continued with the blessing of the elements of bread and wine. After the faithful had received the communion wafer he concluded the ceremony with the final blessing. The couple knelt again.
"And now I pronounce that they are husband and wife. May they so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace."
He paused. The couple rose together.
"Georg, you may kiss your bride."
Georg took her face gently in his hands; his lips found hers; they didn't linger. They broke away as the parishioners applauded. Georg thought it was rather loud; he still had no idea who had entered the church.
The peppy recessional began; the happy couple quickly walked out the front door; followed by the boys, the men and all the girls; and then Isabel and Martha. They immediately went to a courtyard which was prepared for the reception.
Georg spotted them first. "Maria, look who's here."
They saw Sidney with his wife and children; Charles and his wife; Captain James and a person Maria didn't know. They met in the center of the courtyard. "Maria, this is Allen Dulles."
Maria caught herself from saying you're the spy instead it was. "I'm so glad to meet you; I know you facilitated our escape."
"My pleasure, Maria," he kissed her hand. Pepé and Max had the opportunity they had wished for. They both thanked Dulles multiple times. Isabel asked about Rosemary and Katia. Dulles had assured her they were fine and would give them their good wishes,
Max brought the reception to order. "Grab your fruit cocktails; you too children." They were served in fluted glasses.
"A toast to my best friends, Georg and his bride, Maria, Their love began many months ago; wrought from tragedy and turmoil. We, their friends, watched and then gave them a push. We wish you a long life of total happiness, here, here, drink up."
Other toasts followed. A small band began to play. Maria hadn't noticed the woman in the group; she paused and looked twice. "Georg, Victoria Grant from our cruise is with the band."
Maria had to go say hello. "Surprised Maria? I was extremely pleased to get Max's invitation to sing for your reception. I recognized the love you shared; you both were being so coy."
"So we've been told. Max nudged us along."
"I know, he told me. I have a special song for your first dance as husband and wife. It's a waltz, The Cinderella Waltz; a friend wrote the words for me."
"How special, thank you, Victoria."
"And now for their first dance together as husband and wife; Georg, Maria, the floor is yours."
The familiar tempo of any Strauss waltz began their dance music. The couple gazed into the others eyes as Georg easily moved them to the music. The words told a story. Victoria sang about dreams and wishes made by your heart; about believing your wish will come true. And then, "Cinderella, your prince has come and away to his palace you will go; to be happy forever more. The birds will sing; wedding bells will ring and love will fill your heart." The music continued.
She sang the last part of the story. "My heart has wings; I feel I can fly and touch the stars. It's the miracle I dreamed of. This feeling must be love; it feels so divine it must be love, sweet love." The music ended with a brilliant crescendo; the couple embraced for a kiss to the applause and cheers of their children and guests.
The same piece of music was played again as Georg danced with his girls. He held Gretl in his arms and waltzed with her.
"Are you happy, Gretl?"
She didn't need to answer; her face with its full smile told her papa everything. Maria danced with her sons. "Very good, Kurt, who taught you?"
"I did." Max took Maria away from Kurt in an exaggerated twirl around the dance floor. Georg watched as all the men took their turn with his Bride.
The music changed tempo. The group introduced the family to the latest rage in American music, Jazz. The first piece was titled:I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me.
Georg and Maria had the best time; he easily found the tempo. The band played a few more selection like it. Now they slowed it back down. The couple were in a very close position; sharing their love.
Max was moving the reception to its end; the cake table was prepared. Maria and Georg remained lost in their dance. Friedrich tapped him on the shoulder. "Uncle Max tells me it's time for you to cut the cake."
"Maria, we mustn't keep them waiting;" under his breath he added, "the sooner we can leave."
And that was exactly what they did. A very thoughtful cutting of the cake and the customary feeding of each other was complete. Max got everyone's attention. Georg spoke.
"Maria and I thank you for all your well wishes; it's time for us to leave."
Gretl was first in line to see them leave the area; her Uncle Max had told her about the surprise. Max led them to the street.
"See Mama, you are a Cinderella; you have your own carriage and horses."
"Georg, did you know?" His head shook as he smiled. "It was all Max's idea,"
Max opened the carriage door; the Prince and his Cinderella got in. The door was shut and in a matter of seconds it pulled away. They heard the clippety-clop of the horses fade away. The reception had ended; the family returned to the house to wait for their return.