Georg thinks he is dreaming when he hears a soft cry interrupt his sleep. He opens his eyes and realizes that his son has awakened. Georg looks over at Maria who is beginning to stir.
She turns to Georg smiles and says" Sounds like he is getting hungry" I better feed him before he wakes everyone".
Stay there I will get him for you" says Georg as he slides out of bed. Georg walks over to the cradle and picks up Johannes. He places the baby in Marias waiting arms.
Georg goes back to his side of the bed and sits next to Maria. Georg puts his arm around Maria as he watches his son eat.
Georg laughs when Maria pats the baby on the back and he lets out a loud burp" Wow now he sounds like Kurt after he has a big dinner".
Maria takes the baby off her shoulder and lays him between her and Georg. Georg takes his finger and touches Johannes' hand. The baby wraps his hand around Georgs finger. Maria looks down at the baby and then at Georg. She reaches up and runs her fingers through Georgs hair. He leans over and gently kisses her on the lips.
They both watch as Johannes' eyes begin to close. Georg takes him and puts him in the cradle.
Maria slowly gets up and stands next to Georg. Georg covers the baby up.
As Georg looks toward the window he says" It's almost morning. The sun is just about ready to rise." He walks with Maria to the window and puts his arms around her as they both watch dawn break over the mountains.
A few days pass and Maria is beginning to feel herself again. Frau Vogel and her daughter have been by with some gifts for Johannes. Maria is also planning the baby's christening. It has been very cold and she doesn't want to take him out for fear he may get ill. She asks Georg to go into town and talk to the priest about christening the baby at home.
"Father my wife and I would like to have Johannes christened. We know this is usually done in church but because of the weather and the baby's age we would like to have the christening at the house" Georg said as he talked to Father Lingstrom.
'I understand' the priest said. What day would you like to have the christening?
"My wife was thinking a week from this Sunday" Georg said. The priest looked at his appointment book and said
"That sounds fine. I can be at your house at Two O'clock." Georg agreed and said goodbye.
Georg had one stop before he went home. He went to the post office and wrote a letter to Max. He hoped Max could do what he asked. It might be kind of risky but Georg wanted to surprise Maria.
Maria and Georg asked Liesl and Friedrich to be Johannes' godparents. They were both thrilled. Liesl went into town to get material to make the christening gown.
The children helped get the house clean and the girls helped with the baking.
Soon the big day arrived. The guests started to arrive. Mr. Rueger, Frau Vogel and her daughter were the first to arrive. Then the doctor and his family. Father Lingstrom was getting changed into his robes.
Maria was upstairs dressing Johannes when Georg walked into the nursery. He stopped and saw that Maria was wearing the blue dress. The same dress she was wearing when he told her he loved her for the first time. He came up behind her and kissed her on the neck " We have two more guests that have just arrived." They couldn't wait for you to come down so I brought them up here."
Maria picked up Johannes and turned. She cried out when she saw who it was. Standing in front of her was Max and Reverend Mother. Georg took the baby as Maria flew into Reverend Mother arms. They embraced and then it was Max's turn.
"Reverend Mother, Max how did ? When did? Georg are you responsible for this? Maria asked. Georg just laughed.
Reverend Mother walked over to Georg looked at Johannes and said" Oh Maria he's so beautiful. Truly he is a gift from God". Max walks over to look at Johannes. "Georg he looks just like you" said Max. The baby opens his eyes and stares at Max. Max smiles at him and the baby starts to cry loudly. "Well he has a healthy pair of lungs" says Max. "He takes after Maria in that department."