Praying that Georg is safe Maria listens to the policeman.
"The car that your husband was in was overtaken just before it reached the border of Austria. Reports are that there was gunfire exchanged. We do not know if anyone was killed or injured. My men are on the way there to see about your husband. As soon as they call I will let you know" he says trying to reassure her.
The policeman suggests she try to relax but all she can do is pace up and down the living room. The children are sitting quietly on the couch. Maria notices them staring at her and she goes to them.
Liesl is the first to speak " mother why haven't we heard anything?
Maria takes Liesls hand in hers " I don't know, but I know your father and I know how much he loves us. He wouldn't do anything foolish."
Liesl nods her head in agreement. Maria looks at the other children. Not wanting them to sense the fear she is experiencing she suggests they try and eat. She motions for Liesl to take them to the kitchen. Once alone in the living room Maria looks up and silently begins to pray. As she finishes she hears a police siren. She runs to the door but before she can open it the police stop her.
The door opens and two policemen enter the house. As Maria looks behind them her heart jumps.
" Georg! she cries before running into his arms. She wraps her arms around him and notices that his right arm is in a sling. She tenderly puts her hand on the sling and says "Georg you've been hurt."
" It's only a scrape" he says as he takes his hand and brings it up to her cheek. Maria leans into his hand as he kisses her.
As they part from their kiss the children come running from the kitchen " Father! they all yell as they run to him. Georg hugs them and reassures them he is fine.
" What happened?" Maria asks as they walk toward the living room.
" I will explain everything after I talk to the police. They have a few questions for me" Georg says as he walks over to the police.
Maria and the children wait in the living room until Georg is done. Maria hears Georg thank the police. As Georg comes into the living room he smiles as he sees Maria and the children looking at him.
He walks over and sits down by Maria.
" I guess I will start at the point where I left with Zeller. We got into the car and headed towards the border. We were almost there when a car pulled from a side road and cut us off. I took this opportunity to try and escape. I opened the door and fell out I ran behind a tree and Zeller and his men started firing at the men in the other car. I got hurt when I ran to the car that cut us off. As Zeller tried to shoot at me one of the men shot him. The other two men with Zeller surrendered".
Maria interrupted him "If you never made it into Austria who made the phone call to the house saying that you were in Austria?
" After everything was over I told the men that rescued me about what Zeller had said. They forced Zellers driver to make that phone call"Georg says as he takes Marias hand.
" Who were the men that rescued you? Were they the ones I talked to when I called that number you gave me? Maria asks.
" Yes before we left the house I called and made arrangements for them to rescue me. I told them the address where we were going. They work with the underground. Max gave me the number before we left Austria in case I was ever in trouble. By the way Maria how did you manage to call the number when they wouldn't let you go? Georg asks her. Maria explains how she was able to call.
Georg smiles and says " good thing our son has a large appetite". Maria and the children all laugh.
" Georg, what about Zeller." she says.
" He won't be bothering us any more. Just before the police left they told me Zeller was dead" Georg says as he pulls Maria close to him. Maria closes her eyes as Georg whispers I love you in her ear. She hugs him tighter and says the same. As they gaze into each others eyes the spell is broken as they both hear the baby.
Georg gets up as Mrs. Holbrook brings Johannes in . Georg takes his son and holds him close. The baby stops crying and looks at Georg. " Hello, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen" he says as tears form in his eyes. Maria goes to them. She looks at Georg and then the baby. .
" He's fine Georg. We are safe and so are you and that is all that matters" she says as she wipes a tear from Georgs cheek. Georg walks to the couch and sits down surrounded by his children. Maria looks at her family then looks up and thanks God that they are all safe and that nothing can harm them again.