Chapter 10: Time Alone
" Lisle, promise me, between Frau Schmidt and Max and yourself you'll make sure that everything is taken care of and the villa is standing when we return. " said Maria with Rosemarie sleeping soundly in her arms.
" Mother, don't worry about us. Just go and enjoy time alone with Father and Rosemarie. The villa will be still standing when you return. I promise you. " said Lisle, hugging her mother.
' Max, no surprises this time, please. " said Georg, as he put the last bags in the car.
" Do you not trust me yet with your children, Georg? Besides, Frau Schmidt is here and so is Lisle, I think between the two of them, they'll be watching me more then I will the children. " laughed Max.
" Yes. No, I'm just kidding, Max. Of course I trust with the kids. Otherwise I wouldn't be leaving you with them. Maria, if we're going to get going before dark, we need to get going. You ready? " said Georg.
" We'll call when we get there. " said Maria, walking to the passenger side of the car and getting in.
The other seven children stood and waved good-bye with Frau Schmidt and Max as the car pulled out from the villa and could no longer be seen.
In Paris
" I see someone is hungry already. " laughed Georg. holding Rosemarie in his arms.
" Then why doesn't her father feed her. " said Maria, handing Georg the baby's bottle.
" That didn't take too long. But I think she wants her Mother back. " laughed Georg as Rosemarie started to fuss in his arms.
" That's only because she's needs to be burped after she's been feed. Why don't you order dinner while I take care of this one here. " said Maria taking Rosemarie from her father's arms.
" I thought you told the children we would call them when we got here? " laughed Georg.
: Well, why don't you call them before you order up room service then. : said Maria putting Rosemarie in her basinet.
" And find out which one is causing trouble? Isn't that more along your lines and to tell me later? " joked Georg, dialing home.
" I'm sure none of them is causing any trouble. And I do not tell you everything all time. " said Maria, trying to hide her laughs in between the conversation.
A Couple of Hours Later
Ring: Ring
" Now, who could be calling at this time? said Maria, putting Rosemarie to bed for the night.
" I guess I'm getting that. " said Georg, picking up the phone.
" Now what do you think. " said Maria, glancing back at her husband who had on his face that said it all.
" Georg? What's the matter? Is something wrong at home? " said a worried Maria.
" Frau Schmidt had a stroke and has yet to regain consciousness. " simply said Georg, who could barely get the words out of his mouth himself as the realization dawned on him.
" Then we'll need to pack this minute and leave first possible chance we get. " said Maria, who started packing things, all the while holding back tears, not because the trip was coming to an early end but because a dear friend and family friend was gravely ill and needed them right now.
" I didn't mean for this trip to be cut short, darling. But I think Frau Schmidt could use us right now. " said Georg, who noticed that his wife hadn't taken the time to look at him when she responded or answered him the last couple of times, which was not normal for her to do.
" I'm not upset about that, Georg. Can't we just please worry about getting home to the children and taking care of Frau Schmidt. " said Maria, heading for the bathroom and gently slamming the door shut. Another thing Maria was not accustomed to doing, noticed Georg.
" Maria, please come out of the bathroom. I know when your upset and I can tell that right now your upset. " begged Georg, with no luck.
No answer, which meant Maria was in fact upset but not necessarily at him but at the fact that their weekend trip was getting cut short.
" No offense to Frau Schmidt, I know she needs us right now, and I know saying this will make me sound selfish but I have got to say it before I go crazy but I was really depending on this weekend away from all the wedding preparations, party arrangements and just some time alone with you and Rosemarie. Granted, I can have all that at home but not with one of the other seven children needed something or just my attention. Tell me right now, how bad that makes me look. " cried Maria, still in the bathroom.
" Is this what this is all about? That does not make you look selfish at all. Not in my eyes. That makes you look like a caring mother to All eight of Our children. Seems to me that Rosemarie agrees. " said Georg, picking up Rosemarie and laying her on the bed and playing with her, as the infant started to giggle.
" Why is it that you always seem to know just what to say. " said Maria, walking out the bathroom and sitting next to her husband and watched as he continued to play with Rosemarie, who was still giggling as well.
" Because I married the most beautiful wife and most caring mother to my children there ever was. " said Georg, as he gently took his hand and dried the tears from his wife's face.
" Is everything packed? " said Maria.
" Everything except Rosemarie's baby bag. " answered Georg, picking up Rosemarie and rocking her back and fourth in his arms, causing her to fall asleep in his arms.
" I guess she's down for the count. " laughed Maria.
" Then she'll sleep all the way home. " said Georg.