Chapter 1- An Uneasy Feeling

The suns shine down on us from just over the Alps, as the wind blows gently around us. I lean back into my chair my eyes drifting over the garden…

I see Liesl and Louisa sitting on a blanket out in the middle of the garden, deep in conversation. I love that Liesl choose to spend her spring recess from college back home with us. The look in their eyes tells me that it's the usual girl talk about boys and makeup and fashion.

I look to their left where Friedrich was a few moments ago, where is he now, I'm not sure. My guess would be that he's out washing the car or fixing some part of it. He got his drivers license about a month ago, and has since realized that girls love nice cars. He's become quite a ladies man lately, or at least he thinks he has.

I look to Marta, Gretl and Ellie sitting in front of me, on the steps of the porch playing dolls. Well, Marta and Gretl are playing dolls. Ellie has reached that age where she puts everything into her mouth, including dolls, and after she realizes that she can't eat them she gets mad and hits them against the cement. I laugh lightly, as Marta and Gretl try to take the doll from her. I watch them for a few more moments before my eyes drift to Kurt and Brigitta sitting across from me, playing cards.

" Mother?" Kurt says happily.

" Hmmm?" I say, in an equally happy tone.

" What do you think the baby is going to be?"

I smile at him for a second before answering, " I don't know."

" You always say that. You must have some sort of feeling." Brigitta says with mock annoyance.

I put my hands on my ever-expanding stomach and smile at the down at the baby inside me.

I have felt that this child is a boy from the day I found out I was going to have another child. But I refuse to let the family know my feelings. There aren't many truly genuine surprises anymore, and I see this baby as a gift that needs to be unspoiled by any sort of speculation.

" As long as the baby is healthy, I'm happy." I watch her roll her eyes, and I laugh lightly. It wasn't until I found my life here, that I realized it's the small things, the simple moments that bring me the most happiness.

I let my eyes fall on the doorway of the house where I see Georg standing. The doorway is his spot, because from there he can see the entire garden, he usually stands there and watches us with a look of sheer pride and happiness that makes my heart skip a beat.

But when my eyes meet his today, that look is gone. Replaced instead by a far off look, a look I know, but have not seen since the night we ran from the Nazis.

I watch him kneel down as Ellie toddles over to him, her eyes shining bright with delight. She is truly his daughter, never missing an opportunity to be with her father.

He hugs her tight, as he heads towards us. " Kurt, Brigitta go get your brother and sisters and go in and get cleaned up for dinner."

I watch them look up at him, studying his eyes as they debate whether or not to argue with him.

" Yes, father." Brigitta says quickly.

" Take Ellie with you." He says, his tone firm, almost cold.

They nod quickly as they get up from their seats. I fight back my laughter as Ellie struggles with everything in her not to leave her father's arms. He finally manages to put Ellie into Brigitta's arms, and instantly her screams of displeasure echo through the garden. Kurt and Brigitta try to talk to her as they take her towards the house.

He stands at the end of the table, his eyes cast down, in complete silence. He says and does nothing for a few moments, until he knows the children can no longer hear our conversation.

" What is it? What's happened?" I ask, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

His eyes meet mine, and the love has returned to them, " Nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect." His voice is soft and loving, and I almost forget about the look I know I saw just a few moments ago. I want to question him further, but he changes the subject before I can open my mouth.

" Kurt and Brigitta were asking you about the baby again?"

I nod, as he offers his hand to me. I take it and he pulls me up, so that I'm standing in front of him. " They can wait a few more days."

" Of course they can. But you could also make it easier on all of us, by just telling us what you think it's going to be." His smile lights up my soul.

" You're as bad as they are." I say with as quick laugh as he takes my hand in his.

He brings our joined hands to his lips, before we start to walk into the house. " You don't have to tell me. I already know what the baby is going to be."

I lay my head on his shoulder as we near the house, "Oh you do?" I cast him a mischievous smile and wait for his answer.

" You're going to have a boy." He says confidently.

" You think so?" I fire back, trying to hide the fact that I agree with him.

" Just a feeling I have."

I'm so lost in his arms and in the talk of the baby that I nearly miss the chill that has suddenly formed in the air. I look up into the sky and see dark storm clouds rolling in, at that moment; an uneasy feeling begins to replace the contentment I just felt. I chalk it up to nerves, and look back at Georg before we walk into the house.

To be continued...

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Notes:

* The time line is about 9 months.

* I'm not one for small talk, but I think it works here.