Maria had the younger children take a nap because she knew that it was going to be a long night. She felt Liesl was old enough to be told what was going on so while the others were resting she took her aside and explained that they were leaving. Liesl was upset but she knew staying would endanger everyone.
As Maria and Liesl were talking Georg entered the room.
"Maria is everyone packed?" asked Georg.
"Yes all the knapsacks are in our room" Maria answered.
"Good I will get Max to help me put them in the car."Liesl your mother told you why we have to leave"?asked Georg.
"Yes father but does Frau Schmidt and Franz know we are leaving?" "I have not said anything to them" asked Liesl.
" No they don't know anything, it will be safer for them. If the nazis come looking for us they will be able to be truthful that they did not know anything about us leaving" said Georg.
"Georg are the children's things ready ,we need to get the things packed into the car.I figured we can leave when it gets dark." said Max as he entered the room.
"Maria I want you to rest I will wake you when we are almost ready to leave." Georg said as he left with Max. Maria went up to their bedroom but found she was too worried to rest. Instead she looked at the pictures of her and Georgs wedding. She put the album down and walked over to her dresser. She took the box of extra charms that Georg had given to her and put them in her knapsack. She looked around the bedroom. With so many thoughts running through her head she didn't see Georg enter the room. He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders she turned and he saw she had tears streaming down her cheeks. All he could do was to hold her. He looked at her and wiped her tears. Georg then kissed her forehead and told her that he loved her. Maria put her arms around Georg and kissed his lips.
Georg walked over to the door and closed it.
"We have a couple of hours before we leave. Marta and Gretl are napping and the older children are reading. I sent Franz and Frau Schmidt to town. I told Franz to drive her to get some things for the house. By the time they return we will be gone,"Georg said as he walked back over to Maria.
Maria sat on the bed looking at the charms around her neck. She looked around the room. She had only been in this room only once just before Georg and she were married. Georg had her redecorate the bedroom so it would be ready when they returned. Frau Schmidt had done everything Maria had asked her to. Now they would never be able to live in it as man and wife. Georg sat down beside her and stroked her cheek. "This is a far cry from the plans I had for our first night in this room" Georg said as he kissed her on the cheek." Maria put her hand on Georgs cheek and kissed him gently on the lips. Georg answered by taking Maria in his arms and kissing her deeply. Maria stopped kissing him long enough to whisper that she wanted him to be with her in this room if only for two hours. Georg slowly laid her down as he got up to lock the door. He walked back to where she was and laid down next to her. He pulled her close and said" I want us to remember that this was a room filled with love not sadness." Maria and Georg spent two hours in each others arms. The time seemed to go too quickly and they were soon getting changed into their travel clothes. Georg took both Maria's and his knapsack to the car. By the time Maria went downstairs the children were waiting for her.
"Father is out in the garage with uncle Max. He wants all of us to meet him there." said Friedrich. Maria takes Gretl and Marta's hands as Liesl and the rest of the children follow. It is dark in the garage and Maria at first can't see Georg.He calls for Friedrich to steer while he, Max, Kurt push the car out to the driveway. Maria and the girls walk behind the car as they push.
As they approach the gate Marta asks why they don't turn the car on now. Maria says they want to wait so that nobody hears them leaving. Kurt runs to open the gate as the car is pushed out to the main driveway. Georg opens the door and starts to get in to start the car when a bright light startles him. He shades his eyes from the light as he sees who it is. Maria also turns and gasps in fear as she sees two cars with nazi soldiers inside. Georg sees Herr Zeller standing arms crossed glaring straight at him. Maria looks at Georg terrified at what will happen next. How will they get away now. She can only hope that Georg has a backup plan.