Chapter 8: Announcements
~ Early Next Morning ~
Maria awoke to an empty spote next to her, just as the sun was rising outside. She glanced over to check on Rosemarie to find her sound asleep in her basinet as well.
" Georg? What are you doing out on the veranda this early in the morning? " said Maria, rising from the bed and moving quietly outside next to him, as she fixed her robe in the process.
" You up early? After a night such as last night? Shouldn't you be back in bed, taking it easy? " said Georg, wrapping his arms around her waist.
" Don't you think we should tell the other children? Both Announcements actually. " said Maria, realizing that Rosemarie was now waking up and wanting to be fed as well.
" I believe we better or we'll be listening to a pack of seven children non-stop today. But in the mean time, I think it's time for breakfast. " said Georg, walking back into the master bedroom.
" I agree. " said Maria, walking over the basinet and bending down to pick up Rosemarie.
" I see someone else is already up and hungry as well. I guess she inherited that from Kurt. " laughed Georg.
" I don't think she got that from Kurt. I think she got that from her father. " retorted Maria, as she headed downstairs for breakfast.
" I guess I'm waking up the heard this time? " said Georg, walking towards the nursery.
" After your last comment, yes. " said Maria, from downstairs.
~ In the nursery ~
" Rise and Shine. " said the Captain, hoping that children would readily get out of bed. No luck.
" Ten more minutes. " said Louisa, rolling back over.
" No, not ten more minutes. Come on, Breakfast is getting cold and there two Announcements waiting for you to be told. " said the Captain.
" Please don't let either be the Baroness Schraeder returning. " said Brigiita.
" No, it doesn't involve the Baroness. No, let's get a move on it. " said the Captain.
" Does it involve Mother? Or the new baby? " said Gretl, getting curious by the minute.
" Maybe. Why don't you get up and go downstairs. " said the Captain.
All of a sudden, 7 pairs of feet were heard running down the stairs like mad cows, with the Captain following quickly behind.
~ In the Dinning Room ~
At Breakfast
" Tell us now, Please " whined Marta, looking at her father.
" Father, where is mother? " said Gretl.
" Well, that's the first Announcement. I'm surprised you guys didn't wake last night. You guys have a new sibling. " smiled the Captain.
" Is it a boy or a girl? " said Liesl, looking at her father.
" Why don't you ask your mother yourself. " said the Captain as Maria walked in the room with Rosemarie sleeping in her arms.
" I'm sorry Friedrich and Kurt, but I'm afraid you have another sister. " smiled Maria.
" Can I hold her? " said Marta.
" No, I want to hold her first. " said Gretl.
" Why should you get to hold her first? " said Louisa.
" Because I'm the youngest. " said Gretl.
" Not anymore your not. " said Brigitta.
" That's enough, Brigitta. All of you can hold, Rosemarie. Not right now, she's finally asleep. And she's going to sleep for awhile. " said Maria, placing Rosemarie in her carrier next to her chair and sat down to breakfast.
" What was the other announcement father? " asked Friedrich
" Well, after your sister made her appearance last night, I asked your mother to marry me. Again. So what do you all think of that little announcement? " said the Captain.
" First, a new baby sister. And now a wedding. Father? " said Marta.
" Yes, Marta. " said the Captain.
" Can we go on a picnic? " said Marta, with pleading eyes that her father couldn't resisting.
" Oh, why not. " said the Captain.
" You really have spoiled them today, darling. " said Maria, picking up Rosemarie and her carrier.
" I have you to thank for that, remember. " said Georg, leaning over to kiss is bride-to-be.