Chapter 16: No way to stop it
~ At the Von Trapp Villa ~
:" Mother, we're awfully sorry about the way we have been behaving these past few days. " said Louisa.
" It's alright, darlings. I just wish you would have said something sooner. " said Maria.
" Mother, do you know if it's a boy or girl yet? " asked Kurt.
" Yes, I do, Kurt. " said Maria, as she glanced over at her husband for approval.
" Should we tell them after the way the behaved? or let them wait? " snickered Georg.
" Father, please tell us. We said we were sorry and we are very sorry. " said Brigiita as she looked straight into her father's eyes.
" Alright, tell them. You know when Brigitta looks me straight in the eye, she's sincere. " said Georg, picking up Brigitta.
" I'm sorry Kurt and Friedrich, but it is another baby girl. " said Maria.
" Yeah, that means we'll another baby sister to play with. " exclaimed all six girls.
" We don't mind, mother. " said Kurt.
" Were did Gretl go? " said Maria.
" I think she went back up to the nursery. " said Marta.
" Georg, I worried about Gretl. " said Maria.
" So am I, darling. " said Georg.
" I'm going to go check on her. " said Maria.
" Want me to come with you? " said Georg.
" No, but you can come up in 10 minutes. " said Maria as she headed up the stairs to the nursery.
~ In the nursery ~
" Gretl, darling, what's wrong? Why ae you sitting up here all by yourself ? " said Maria.
" I wanted to be by myself for a little bit. " said Gretl.
" Tell me what's bothering you darling. " said Maria.
" But I don't want to upset you. " said Gretl.
" You won't upset me. I just want to help you. " said Maria.
" I know I shouldn't be saying this and I'm sorry, Mother. This baby is your baby and I'm not. I like having you has a mother. " said Gretl.
" Darling, I know your not biologically my daughter, but you certainly feel like one to me, just like the others do. You may not be biologically my daughter but we are a family and I'm glad I'm a part of this family and no other family. " said Maria.
" I won't be the youngest anymore though. " said Gretl.
" No, you won't but you could be my helper with the baby and you could help my dress Elizabeth and we could alot of other stuff together when she gets here, you could even help me sing to her. " said Maria, as she looked as Gretl's face light up.
" Could be sing her Favorite Things and Edelweiss? Father always sang me Edelweiss to help me fall asleep. I think he still does sometimes. " laughed Gretl.
" Sure. Yes, he does. He sneaks into your nursery and he thinks your asleep but he sits at the foot of your bed and he hums it just enough for you to hear it. " said Maria.
" I love you, Mother. " said Gretl, as she hugged Maria.
" I love you too, Gretl. " said Maria.
" Was that my sister moving? " said Gretl, as she realized she had felt a slight movement against Maria's growing stomach.
" I believe it was your sister, Gretl. And you know what? That was the first time she has decided to make any movement, I guess she's waited till you were around. " said Maria, near tears.
" Did I miss something? " said Georg.
" Nothing. " said Maria.
" I know you sit at the foot of my bed and sing ' Edelweiss' to me father. Thank you. I love you. Guess what father. I felt the baby kick. " said Gretl.
" I'm glad to see you happy again, Grelt. I guess you and your mother had a mother-daughter moment? Your mother told you about that did she? Your welcome, darling. You did, did you? " said Georg.
" Yes, and mother said I could be her helper when the baby gets here and I could help sing to her. " said a smiling Gretl.
" I'm sure you can and you'll be a great helper, Gretl. " said Georg., as he watched his youngest daughter run downstairs to the others.
" Here, give me your hand. " said Maria as she took her husband's hand and placed it on her growing tummy.
" I can see why it got Gretl excited." laughed Georg.
" That's your daughter, Captain. " smiled Maria.
" Oh, but your mistaken, Fraulein. That's Our Daughter. " smiled Georg, as they walked back downstairs.
~ Downstairs~
" Mother, can we go on a picnic tomorrow? " asked Friedrich.
" I think that's a lovely idea, Friedrich. As long as it's alright with your father. " said Maria.
" Are you sure your up to it, my dear? " said Georg.
" Darling, I'm only in my 7 month. I think I can handle a little picnic. Besides, I think Max and Elsa would enjoy it and so would Rolf and Lisel. Because in 2 months we won't get to. " said Maria.
" It's alright with me. " said Georg.
" Can Uncle Max and Elsa and Lisel and Rolf come to ? " said Marta.
" Yes. " said Maria.
" Good then it's all settled. " said Georg.
" Off to bed, all of you. Busy day tomorrow. " said Maria.
" And how Busy would that be, my dear? " laughed Georg.
" Your daughter seems to think so. " said Maria, as she felt the baby kick again.
" She's just having a little fun with her mother before bed. " laughed Georg.
": Fun? Fun would using my kidneys for soccer balls, darling. " said Maria.
" It'll be okay, Fraulein because in 2 months, we'll be holding her and singing to her. " smiled Georg.
" This coming from the same Captain that wanted another boy because there were already enough girls running around this house. " laughed Maria.
" Night, love. " said Georg, as he kissed his wife. .
" Night, Captain. " said Maria as he kissed her husband.
