Chapter 11: The Wedding
August 16, 1938
Today was the wedding day! It was a very exciting day. Except I am very tired. This morning Father and I woke up early to rearrange where the flowers and candles would go for the reception. Then Maria woke up. We rented a car to take us girls out to the church early so we could prepare. Father was not enthusiastic about Maria leaving so soon. He couldn't stop complaining about being left with the boys. Well let him cry all he wants he gets to spend a month with her soon.
The six of use entered the church's dressing room. It was very big and our dresses were nicely laid out for us. We checked to make sure everything was there and then we went out to eat and do our hair. Maria seemed to be the quiet one. All of us were talking excitedly. We headed back to the church and we started to put our dresses on.
"Are you okay Maria?" I asked when the other girls were dressing.
"Yes I am fine, just a little nervous I suppose." She sighed.
"Nervous of what?" I asked.
"Oh Liesl, I don't know everything. I never thought I would get married before. It is such a big event. So many things can go wrong. All those people staring at you walking down the aisle. You could make a major fool out of yourself. It is a little bit scary to think of." She shuddered.
"Well just think of it this way, in twenty four hours you will be in Paris!" I said happily.
"Yeah that is a nice thought now if I could just get through these twenty four hours." Maria said. Gretl heard that and ran up to Maria.
"Are you scared Maria? Would it help if we sang of our favorite things?" She asked. Maria smiled and nodded. Soon the room was full of singing and shouting about our favorite things.
We heard a knock on the door. We opened it and saw Father. Maria turned around, and then realizing she didn't have her wedding gown on yet spoke to him.
"Georg, we told you, you are not allowed to see the bride before she walks down the aisle." She said.
"I know, I just couldn't help myself." He tried to enter the room to give Maria a kiss, but Louisa and Brigitta stood in the way.
"Father no peaking at Maria or the dress, you will see her soon enough!" Brigiita yelled.
"Yes Miss Brigitta. You are almost ready right?" He asked Maria.
"What darling are you impatient to get married?" Maria asked.
"Well I guess you could put it that way…I want to see my beautiful bride so hurry up." Smiling at us lovingly he shut the door. I helped Maria put on the beautiful gown. She really was stunning. All of us girls stood back to admire her for a moment. There were a ton of "Ohs" and "Ahs". Then it was time to march down the aisle.
I handed Maria her bouquet of white Edelweiss flowers. The little girls walked down first followed by Brigiita and Louisa and Kurt and Friedrich. Then I came down right before Maria. I could hear the crowd gasp at her beauty. She was truly beautiful. Her blue eyes were sparkling like sapphires and her smile was as bright as the sun. I glanced up at Father. He was just gazing at Maria. I was surprised he hadn't fainted yet. He gazed down at her watching her every step probably thanking God for bringing Maria to him. Maria walked slowly down. I could tell she wanted to sprint into his arms and just say "I do" and get out, but she slowly walked. They went through the whole ceremony, which I thought was lovely. They announced them husband and wife and Maria and father kissed and walked down the aisle together.
It was so strange. I never thought any of us could love someone else like we loved Mother, but at that moment I would not have traded any moment in the world for this one. I have never been so happy in my entire life. I had a new Mother who was one of my best friends in the world.
We drove to the house with Max for the reception. We waited outside for Father and Maria to arrive. They finally did and we stormed them with hugs and kisses. Gretl asked if we could call Maria "Mother" now. She said she would like that very much. We entered the reception and had a good time. Father even let us stay up really late. Well actually he didn't let us, but we were a little bit on our own because he had to greet guests while trying to keep his eyes on Maria. He couldn't keep track of seven children too.
After a while it was time for Father and Mother to go to Paris. They kissed us each goodbye and Father told us to behave ourselves. Then they left for the train waving happily at us. They looked perfect for each other. It is strange you look at them and their faces just go together. Father had never looked happier than he did tonight. Even when I was small and Mother was alive he had never been that happy. I often wonder if Mother is watching us above from heaven. If she is what does she think? I hope she is happy for us and happy to see us happy. It couldn't be easy though watching up there. I have always wondered since Maria came if maybe Mother sent her. I mean we were so unhappy, maybe Maria was sent by God and Mother to us. God just must have sent her. She was an answer to so many prayers. For the first time in my life I feel totally at peace with everything. God thank you for giving our undeserving family Maria!
August 17, 1938
Today we woke up and for the first time in months Father and Maria were not there to greet us. It was strange I had grown so used to seeing Father and Maria at breakfast and around the house talking to us. The house seemed quiet, well at least some of the time. Max decided that we ought to sing in the festival. So he called the people up and entered us today. I don't think Father will approve, but I can't do anything to stop him.
September 1, 1938
Well everything has been going all right. Actually it has been going great. You will never guess what happened. Well first let me explain what's been going on. Max has been talking a lot about the Germans taking over Austria. It hasn't happened yet, but he says it will soon. Other than that the days have been normal for us. We have not heard from Father or Maria yet. Hmm…Max is worried, but I believe they just must be having too much fun to even think much of us.
A few days ago I received another telegram. It was from Rolfe telling me to meet him in the gazebo again. I was so excited! So I went down to the gazebo at seven like his note said. He was there standing waiting for me. He ran up and gave me a hug.
"Liesl! I am so happy to see you! I missed you." He said. I pulled away from him. The last time I had seen him was when we were going to our picnic. He wasn't the nicest friendliest person that's all I have to say.
"You are happy to see me? Why? You were not enthused to see me last time we met." He looked sad. He turned and I saw a Nazi patch on his shoulder. "Rolfe, what is that? You joined the Nazi's? How could you? Tell me you didn't Rolfe." I begged.
"Shhhh. Keep it down. Look I came here to tell you that I am sorry I acted the way I did, but I have to Liesl, they will kill me." He answered.
"You didn't have to join them." I said angrily back at him.
"Yes I did Liesl." He said.
"Why? Are you an unpatriotic slug who turns on their county just as soon as it has no power?" My voice was racing. I was mad.
"Shhhh…Liesl look I will tell you just please keep it down okay? I don't want you to get killed. Look my family was against the Nazis. The Nazis knew it too. They have been on our families tale forever." He said.
"They have?" I asked. I was so surprised. "Why then…"
"So a little while ago they arrested my family. I don't know where they took them. Before they were evicted from their home, I came home. I wanted to go with them…I didn't want to be alone. Father though, he said that I must at least pretend to be one of them until the end of the war. He made me swear that I would stay one of them if things got bad and that I would survive." Rolfe told me with tears forming in his eyes. "I don't know if I will ever see them again. I…I …don't want to be part of these terrible Nazis."
"So that explains why you can't be nice to me…" I started.
"Yes Liesl, I can't ever talk to you nicely again. It has to be businesslike. I have to pretend to be mean. Liesl, you and your family, you have to leave now…before they take over Austria." He said nervously.
"Rolfe I can't leave now, Father and Maria are on their honeymoon." I answered.
"Your father got married to Maria?" He asked stunned. "Wow I never thought he would marry anyone again, he just seems so…so"
"So what?" I asked laughing.
"So strict, so unable to love. I don't know." He said.
"Hmm. You think that because you have never seen Father since he got engaged to Maria. If you ask me I would say he is lovesick. All he ever thinks about or cares about is Maria. He loves her more than anything." I answered. Rolfe laughed a little.
"Oh Liesl you are tons of fun to be around. I wish I could stay here longer. I love you Liesl. Do you forgive me?" He asked. I jumped at his words. Did he really just say that?
"Of course I forgive you Rolfe." I answered. "I love you too." Then Rolfe leaned forward and kissed me. He kissed me again! This time it was much longer than the first. Then he stopped.
"Liesl, please promise me you and your family will get out and go to America and be safe from this." He said.
"Well we will try…why don't you come along with us? Then we can be happy!" I smiled brightly.
"No I can't I would love to, but my home is here. Remember my promise? I have to say goodbye to you today Liesl." He said. My smile dropped.
"Rolfe, but I love you…" I started.
"And I love you, but I want you to be safe, you will promise right?" He asked.
"Yes." I said lowly. "Will we ever see each other again?" I asked not liking the prospects.
"I doubt it, but I will forever be praying for it." He said. "Goodbye Liesl." With that he kissed me again and rode off on his bike. By then a thunderstorm had come and it was pouring. Hmm…Fitting if you ask me. I walked into the house drenched with water. I sadly walked to my room where I changed and put my dress in the tub. Oh I wish Mother were here so we could sing of our favorite things because I am feeling bad. I hope they come back soon.