I hear a knock on the door and open my eyes.
" Who is it" I say.
" It's Sister Margaretta" she says. " It's 8:00 and breakfast is ready. Reverend Mother said to wake you.
" Thank you I will be right there" I say as I rise out of bed. I put on a dress and go to the dining hall. Most of the sisters are already at work doing their daily chores. I go to Reverend Mothers table and sit.
" Did you sleep well Maria" she asks.
" Yes Mother " I say. " It is a lot quieter than the at the villa". The children are usually up and all talking at the same time". I usually get woken up by Gretl. She likes to snuggle with me and I can never resist her."
" Yes it is quiet here" she says. " But I think you miss all that noise." I laugh and nod my head in agreement. My mind wonders back to yesterday and the breakfast at home. I miss the children.
I finish my breakfast and go back to my room. It is time for me to get ready. Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta and Sister Berthe come to help me dress. I slip on my dress and Sister Margaretta buttons up the back.
" I have a mirror in my suitcase" I say. "Can you get it for me Sister Berthe? Sister Berthe goes to my suitcase. As she is looking for the mirror she takes out my nightgown. I look at her and I can feel my face getting flush. She find the mirror and hands it to me. As Sister Margaretta places my veil on my head I look at myself in the mirror. I gasp as I look at myself.
" Maria you are breathtaking" Reverend Mother says. The sisters made my veil. A ring of Edelweiss surrounded by soft netting. I put my shoes on and we head toward the chapel. Just before I walk into the courtyard that leads to the church we stop. The sisters fix my veil and I step down the stairs and kneel before Reverend Mother for her blessing. I stand and walk across the courtyard and into the church. Reverend Mother opens the iron gate and I walk through. I see Liesl and she hands me my bouquet. I look at the roses and take in their fragrance. Liesl fixes the train on my dress. I turn to look at the sisters and smile. They smile back. I hear the gate close and I turn and smile at Liesl. I watch as Marta and Gretl start up the aisle. I turn and Liesl starts up. I look up at the altar and see him. Our eyes meet and My heart leaps. I want to run to him but I slowly walk up the aisle. My eyes never leave him. I have never seen him in his uniform. He looks so handsome. I reach the stairs and look down as I walk up. I reach the top stair and our eyes meet again. He reaches out his hand to mine and I give it to him. We walk to towards the Bishop our eyes never leaving each other. We kneel and the Bishop starts the ceremony.
We say our vows and He takes my hand and places my wedding ring on it. He reaches down and kisses my hand. I look at him and tears start to come to my eyes. He sees them and wipes them away. The Bishop declares us husband and wife. Georg takes my shoulders and slowly pulls me toward him. I close my eyes as I feel our lips touch. He pulls me closer and kisses me deeply. I never want to leave our embrace. Georgs lips leave mine and he smiles at me. We turn and he takes my hand in his as we walk down the stairs and down the aisle. We go outside and Georg takes me in his arms and kisses me deeply. The children run to us. Georg picks up Gretl and she hugs him. Liesl takes my hand and kisses my cheek. We are surrounded by the children. We get in the cars and head back to the house. We form the reception line. Georg introduces me to each person that comes down the line.
I lean and whisper in his ear" I hope you realize I will never remember them all".
Georg laughs and whispers" I am having a hard time remembering them." the last guest greets us and the reception begins. Georg and I watch as the children talk and laugh. Dinner is soon over and the dancing starts. Georg and I dance first. As we dance Georg holds me close.
" I love you" he says quietly. I put my cheek against his and hold him in my arms. The dance ends and we slowly part. Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn and Friedrich bows and asks me to dance. I smile and we start. I watch as Georg takes Liesl by the hand and they start to dance. The reception goes into the early evening.
I am talking with a distant relative of Georgs when he takes my hand and says it is time we go. We say goodbye and go to the train station. We wave goodbye to the children and Max. We arrive in Paris a couple of hours later. We take a cab to the hotel. Georg checks in and we follow the bellboy to our suite. The bellboy opens the door and we go in. The suite is beautiful. As Georg tips the bellboy I go out on the balcony. The view is amazing. I suddenly get very nervous. What if I make a mistake. Georg is experienced. I on the other hand have never been with a man. In fact Georg was the first man I ever kissed. Should I turn the lights off or does he want them on. In school we didn't have many classes in sex education. I know how children are born but the emotions involved with it scare me. I stand there and I don't hear him come up behind me. " Maria are you all right" he asks. I turn and try not to show how nervous I am.